Sixth operator enters state control

Chiltern Railways, which runs commuter services between London Marylebone and Birmingham, entered public ownership on Sunday as the sixth operator nationalised under Labour since 2025.

Four more operators to follow

The government legislated in 2024 to renationalise private train operations as contracts allowed, with the remaining four operators due to transfer by the end of 2027.

Rail minister promises passenger focus

Rail minister Peter Hendy said the transfer gives the chance to tackle issues people care about: more frequent, comfortable trains that turn up on time.

“Every transfer into public ownership gives us the chance to tackle the bread-and-butter issues people care about, more frequent, comfortable trains that turn up on time.”

Service improvements planned

From December, twenty-five additional daily services will run on the Chiltern network, adding ten thousand extra seats each weekday as new trains are rolled out across the operator.

East West Rail opportunity unclear

The Department for Transport said the transfer provides a fresh opportunity to deliver East West Rail services on the Oxford-Cambridge line, though a start date remains unclear.

Union strike threat over guard plans

The RMT union opposes driver-only operation plans backed by the Department for Transport and is balloting members for strike action, with a demonstration planned for Monday at London Marylebone.